Sitting all day isn't good for your body; indeed, leading a sedentary lifestyle can significantly increase your risk for major health concerns, including obesity. But at the same time, you don't necessarily want to spend the whole day putting strain on your knees and feet. Standing desks offer a good middle ground, allowing you to sit when needed but also to raise your desk for tasks that can easily be accomplished while standing up.
Along with under-desk ellipticals and under-desk treadmills, standing desks represent one of the best investments you can make for workplace fitness products. The question is, what's the best standing desk on the market today? The ACTIVE Reviews Team has investigated some of the top options and put together this list of recommendations.
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The Best Standing Desk - Our Top Picks
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- Best Overall Standing Desk: Electric Standing Desk 55"
- Best Electric Standing Desk: Flexispot Home Office Electric Desk
- Best Adjustable Standing Desk: Idasen Desk sit/stand
- Best Budget Standing Desk: Respawn computer desk
- Best Standing Desk with Wheels: Luxor Standup Desk
- Best Customizable Standing Desk: Flexispot Standing Desk Dual Tier
Best Overall - Electric Standing Desk 55"
SPECS
- Size: 28"D x 28"L x 48"W x 28"H
- Material: MDF
- Type (manual/electric): Electric
We love almost everything about the Electric Standing Desk 55", a versatile option that we can envision in almost any office space.
What makes it so recommendable? Start with the unique cylinder mechanism, which provides smooth and easy transitions between elevated and seated modes. Heavy-duty steel frames are made to bear a weight of up to 176 pounds. The work area itself is plenty spacious for a monitor, keyboard, paperwork, and more. A memory mode allows you to save your preferred settings, ensuring the right posture each and every time. Finally, the manufactured wood material is as stylish as it is durable. We think this is a desk that will meet your needs for a good many years, assuming some basic upkeep.
What We Like
- Robust, durable manufactured wood
- Steel frame supports up to 176 lbs.
- Memory mode lets you save settings
- Smooth and easy lifting
What We Don't Like
- Assembly will take some time
- With too much wear and tear, the painted finish can chip just a little
BUY: Electric Standing Desk 55"
Best Electric Standing Desk - Flexispot Home Office Electric Desk
SPECS
- Size: 48" x 24" desktop
- Material: Glass
- Type (manual/electric): Electric
Motorized standing desks are by far the most popular approach. Though they can be a bit pricier than their manual counterparts, they more than make up for it through convenience and ease of use.
The Flexispot Home Office Electric Desk is our pick for the best electric standing desk. We love the look and feel of the tempered glass table top, combined with the support and reliability of the metal frame. Convenient amenities include three USB chargers, a spacious embedded drawer, and a smooth lifting function that makes daily adjustments a breeze. A range of height options are included, along with a generously sized work area.
What We Like
- Smooth and easy lifting
- USB chargers included
- Spacious work area and embedded drawer
- Elegant tempered glass surface
What We Don't Like
- Assembly will take some time
- Higher price point
BUY: Flexispot Home Office Electric Desk
Best Adjustable Standing Desk - Idasen Desk Sit/Stand
SPECS
- Size: 47" x 25" x 50"
- Material: N/A
- Type (manual/electric): Electric
One of the great things about having a standing desk is that you can adjust it to accommodate your height and your desired posture. For sheer ease of adjustment, the Idasen Desk sit/stand is our top pick.
How easy is it to raise or lower this desk? You can literally do it from an app on your phone, remotely triggering the electric built-in hydraulic system. That's remarkable, as is the generally robust, stain-resistant desk construction. And, typical of Ikea products, the desk boasts a thoroughly modern look that will class up any office space.
An under-desk cord management system is another nice touch, providing one more way to maintain a tidy, elegant workspace.
What We Like
- Lifts and adjusts remotely
- Elegant, modern look
- Cord management system
- Stain-resistant materials
What We Don't Like
- Assembly will take some time
- Higher price point
Best Budget Standing Desk - Respawn Computer Desk
SPECS
- Size: 34.625''H x 42''W x 24''D
- Material: MDF
- Type (manual/electric): Manual
Think all standing desks cost an arm and a leg? Think again. The Respawn Computer Desk is proof that you can get a decent product for under $100.
Of course, there are some tradeoffs, and the big tradeoff here is that the desk doesn't have any electric lifting system; any adjustment you make has to be done manually. That may be a minor inconvenience, but this is still a durable and spacious desk, made with sturdy manufactured wood and designed to look good in any office space. It can be installed in as little as an hour's time, and it can bear up to 200 pounds, which puts a lot of electric standing desks to shame.
What We Like
- Modest price point
- Supports up to 200 lbs.
- Easy to assemble
- Spacious desktop
What We Don't Like
- Only adjusts/lifts manually
- No drawer included
Best Standing Desk with Wheels - Luxor Standup Desk
SPECS
- Size: 59"W x 29.5"D x 29.5"L x 45.25"H
- Material: Steel, wood
- Type (manual/electric): Manual (crank)
Need a standing desk that's easy to maneuver around the room, or to be transported in and out of storage? Check the Luxor Standup Desk, our pick for best standing desk with wheels.
This is another manual desk, and it comes with a simple crank mechanism to help you adjust the height of your desk. Using the crank is quick, easy, and requires minimal exertion. A durable steel frame ensures that this desk is not just resilient, but load-bearing up to 156 pounds. And the wheels make it a snap to rearrange your office area whenever you need to.
What We Like
- Wheels for easy transport
- Durable steel frame
- Crank allows for rapid adjustment
What We Don't Like
- Only adjusts/lifts manually
- No drawer included
- Higher price point
Best Customizable Standing Desk - Flexispot Standing Desk Dual Tier
SPECS
- Size: 55" x 28"x 0.7" (desktop)
- Material: Particle board
- Type (manual/electric): Electric
With the Flexispot Standing Desk Dual Tier, it's easy to make your standing desk totally your own.
There are tons of options for customization here, including an ergonomic two-tier design that gives you some flexibility as to where you place your monitors. An adjustable upper shelf offers three different height settings, and you can save up to four settings using the "memory" function. The desktop itself is not only spacious but sourced from environmentally sustainable materials.
Combine all of that with an overall rugged, durable design and you have a standing desk that's very easy to recommend.
What We Like
- 4 settings can be stored with the memory function
- Lots of options for adjustment and customization
- Spacious desktop
- Sustainably sourced materials
What We Don't Like
- Takes a little time to assemble
- Particle board isn't as sturdy as we'd like
BUY: Flexispot Standing Desk Dual Tier
How to Choose a Standing Desk
As you shop for the best standing desk, there are a number of considerations to make:
- Control and adjustability. You're generally going to want a desk that has an electric motor, allowing you to elevate or lower the desk with the simple press of a button. While manual desks are also available, these require more effort and are also not as sturdy or as reliable.
- Height range. Most standing desks come with a couple of different frame options, so you can choose a height that is right for you. Extra legs can help you augment the desk's height even further, and are often included for an additional expense.
- Durability. A good standing desk can cost a few hundred bucks, which means you'll definitely want to consider high-quality products that ensure long-term durability, even with lots of everyday wear and tear.
- Assembly. When you order a standing desk, you'll usually need to assemble it yourself. Seek standing desks with clear instructions and ease of assembly.
FAQs About Standing Desks
Is it worth buying a standing desk?
There are countless health benefits associated with standing desks. By working from a standing desk, you may improve your heart rate, increase your energy level, and elevate your mood. Additionally, studies have indicated that standing desks typically result in a huge improvement to overall productivity.
Are electric standing desks reliable?
Today's electric standing desks are made with durability and longevity in mind. So long as you do your due diligence and look for a well-reviewed product from a known manufacturer, you should find that your standing desk is extremely reliable.
How long should you stand at a standing desk?
Many ergonomic experts recommend standing for five to 15 minutes out of each hour, or for at least two hours out of your eight-hour workday.
How long will a standing desk last?
A well-designed standing desk can last for 30 years or more.